Trump and Musk engage in public debate
---------- Fresh Take ----------
Elon Musk's relationship with ex-President Donald Trump takes a turn for the worse as Musk lashes out at one of Trump's pet projects. The tech mogul calls the tax and spending bill a "disgusting abomination," slamming it for intensifying the already staggering budget deficit and debt.
Known as the "great beautiful bill," the legislation, supported by Trump, barely squeaked through the House of Representatives in May. Yet, several of Trump's fellow Republicans in the Senate oppose it due to the proposed increase in the debt ceiling and demand more drastic spending cuts.
The White House remains unfazed by Musk's critique, with Presidential Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissively commenting, "The President already knows what Elon Musk thinks of this bill." Trump remains unwavering in his support of the bill.
The bill, in essence, aims to make permanent Trump's first-term tax cuts. Controversially, it will be partly funded by cutting social programs, inviting fierce opposition from Democrats.
Interestingly, Musk's criticism resonates with Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, who echoes Musk's stance, declaring, "Musk is right." Sanders emphasizes that the wealthiest Americans are raking in a staggering $664 billion in tax cuts whilst $290 billion is being trimmed from food assistance for low-income families.
Musk's stance is hardly new; earlier, he expressed "disappointment" about the bill compromising his proposed cuts to government spending. Yet, he now expresses his mounting frustration bluntly, stating, "Sorry, but I can't take it anymore."
Musk, once a close confidant of Trump, donated over $250 million to Trump's campaign. However, recent months have hinted at a dwindling influence of Musk within Trump's inner circle. Following a 130-day limit on external government officials, Musk withdrew from Washington.
As their relationship unravels, both figures engage in public quarrels, with Musk criticizing Trump's association with Jeffrey Epstein and Trump threatening to cancel government contracts with Musk's companies. Yet, analysts predict this public spat to have minimal long-term implications on Tesla's business, including its ambitious robotaxi project.
policy-and-legislation: Elon Musk criticizes the tax and spending bill, dubbed the "great beautiful bill," as a "disgusting abomination," expressing disapproval of its increased budget deficit and debt, and the funding of it by cutting social programs.
crime-and-justice: The seemingly breaking relationship between Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump involves public quarrels, with Musk criticizing Trump's association with Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump threatening to cancel government contracts with Musk's companies.
